A SPECIAL affinity with nature, animals and the countryside stayed with Ronnie Darling all his life. So it is perhaps no surprise he went on to become one of the local farming community’s most respected shepherds. His sudden death on December 29, at the age of 68, has robbed the Borders of a much-loved character - a man whose integrity, friendliness and sense of loyalty touched the lives of everyone lucky enough to know him. Ronnie had three passions in life - his love for his family, an unshakable enthusiasm for sport, and the care and dedication he showed to livestock and animals.